Hot top with refractory bottom ring and wiper



July 17, 1 62 Q E. A. MARCEC 3,044,133

HOT TOP WITH REFRACTORY BOTTOM RING AND WIPER Filed Nov. 25, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. ERVIN A. MAROEO ATTORNEY July 17, 1962 E. A. MARcEc 3,044,133

HOT TOP WITH REFRACTORY BOTTOM RING AND WIPER Filed Nov. 25, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 2 8 D IO 2 U.

0 2 a 2 m l0 0 IO I0 no 0 g INVENTOR. E ERVIN A. mmcsc ATTOR NEY UnitedStates Patent 0.

HOT TOP WITH REFRACTORY BOTTOM RING AND WIPER Ervin A. Marcec, 20701 OakLane Drive, Olympia Fields, 111. Filed Nov. 25, 1959, Ser. No. 855,358 6Claims. (61. 22-147) This invention relates to hot tops for the pouringof metal into molds and more specifically to refractory bottom rings andwipers which are suspended from the hot top to protect the hot topcasing from the molten metal being poured and to prevent the metal fromspewing out between the hot top casing and the mouth of the mold.

Heretofore refractory bottom rings, metal wiper strips and hanger clipshave all been formed and shipped as separate items and assembled at thepoint of use at the time the hot tops are prepared and readied for thepouring of the next heat. Most refractory bottom rings are somewhatsimilar in shape to the hot tops which they serve, and are formedgenerally of refractory sands and a suitable binder such as sodiumsilicate, and thereafter baked to set the silicate binder and drive oflfmoisture. They are usually formed-with a central annulus defined by ashort upstanding chimney which fits up into the refractory lining of thehot top casing. This chimney generally flows laterally into the upper orstrike off surface of the ring, and which surface is adapted to bedisposed adjacent the lower surface of the hot top casing from which itis suspended. Between the bottom surface of the hot top casing and thestrike off surface of the bottom ring, generally there are disposedsheet metal wipers which extend outwardly therefrom. These arepositioned by a variety of means, generally molded shoulders or notchesin the strike off surface of the ring and corresponding pressed outprojections in the wiper strips. Embedded pins have also been proposedto position the wiper strips in place. Regardless of the means forpositioning the wiper strips, they have been restrained with varyingdegrees of success by compressive forces derived from "ice for simpleassembly to the hot top in a single operation at the time the hot top isprepared for pouring, and accordingly this constitutes the principalobject of this in vention.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of specialmeans for permanently attaching both wiper strips and hanger clips tothe refractory ring.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the arrangement wherebythe hanger clips are attached to and supported by the wiper strips priorto the latter being permanently connected to the refractory material.

hanger clips which extend from within the central annulus, below-thering, then upwardly along the outsides of the rings, through slots inthe wiper strips'provided for that purpose, and finally hooked over lugsprojecting from the lower side walls of the hot top casing.

Depending on the skill of the laborers preparing the hot tops forpouring and the length of time allotted, these hanger clips frequentlyare not properly secured and thus the wiper strips and the refractoryrings are often dislodged by pulling forces acting on them as the hottop is lowered by crane into the mold prior to pouring.

Moreover, due to the necessity of slotting the wiper strips to receivethe hanger clips, the thin gauge sheet metal is materially weakened andfrequently curls up or is pulled out in that operation. This is readilyunderstood when it is considered that only compressive forces derivedfrom the hanger clips and the clips themselves act tov restrain outwardmovement of the otherwise loose wiper strips against the frictionalforces pulling at them as the hot top is lowered into the mouth of themold. Thus not only is the existing practice costly in labor employed,both in initial preparation of the hot tops for pouring as well.asreworking when not properly suspended, but also in the removal of flashand other excess metal from the ingot as by shearing or flame scarfingcaused by improperly positioned wiper strips. The added danger ofspewing hot metal to attendant personnel is also a substantial factor.

Applicant has overcome all of the objectionable features of theheretofore generally employed rings by providing a refractory ringprefabricated with permanently attached nonslotted wiper strips andhanger clips ready Still another object of the invention in keeping withthe last mentioned object resides in the novel means by which the wiperstrips are themselves integrated into a continuous band and'eitherpartially embedded into a wall of the refractory or mechanically securedthereto between molded shoulders.

These and additional objects and features will become more readilyapparent from the following description of the invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodi-' ment of theinvention in which integrated wiper strips and pre-assem'bled hangerclips secured to the wiper strips are secured and bonded into theoutside wall of the refractory ring by partial embeddment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly in section of one of the wiperstrips along one side of the composite device of FIG. 1, illustrating ingreater detail the pre-assembled hanger clips secured to the wiper stripand the manner in which they are secured by partial embeddment into theoutside wall of the refractory ring. I

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hanger clip as employed'in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating schematically the manner inwhich a composite refractory-wiper strip and hanger clip deviceaccording to this invention is suspended from the underside of a hot topcasing, the latter having been lowered into the mouth of an ingot mold.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, of another embodimentof applicants invention illustrating integrated band-like wiper stripsand pre-assembled hanger clips secured, to the wiper strips mechanicallysecured to'the outside walls of the refractory ring between retainingshoulders formed on said outside walls; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hanger clip similar to that of BIG. 3but employed in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. l-4 of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates arefractory bottom ring for hot tops a metal hot top casing 13 providedwith an in-turned lower metal lip 14 for retaining its lining. Thechimney 11 tapers to a generally flat upper or strike off surface 15whichat its outer periphery is defined by outside walls 16. To theseoutside walls preferably are secured bandlike metal wiper strips 17 towhich have been secured hanger clips 18. The free ends of the hangerclips 18 are inserted into suitable apertures or holes provided in thelower side walls of the hot top casing 13 to receive them, and by meansof which the entire composite refractory ring, wiper strips and hangerclips are secured to and suspended from the underside of the hot top forlowering within the mouth of a mold such as 19. e

The wiper strips 17 are each provided with a side bandlike portion 20from which extends outwardly, preferably at a slight angle and upwardly,an integral and flexible which alternate, one being integrally connectedto the band portion 2llnearer' its upper edge, while the next'isintegrally connected to the band portion 20 nearer its lower edge, Thesetabs are all inturned however, that is, opposite to the outwardlyextending wiper portion 21. V

The alternating tabs 22 are interrupted at one or more spacedlocations'on each band portion of the wiper strips 17, to provideadditionally inwardly punched members for receiving the shank ends ofthe hanger clips 18. These members take the form of an eyebrow oreyelet-like inwardly punched portion 23 into which the ends of thehanger clips .18 are received. Adjacent the raised eyelets 23 are twoinwardly bent hooklike projections or clips 24 and 25, under whichadjacent portions of the shanks of the hanger clips 18 are secured. Theintermediate bentover projection 24 is somewhat larger to receive inpress fit relation a kink 30 in the shank end of the hanger clip forthat purpose. Flanking either side of the hanger clip securingprojections are two additional vertically disposed inwardly punched lugsor tabs 26 similar to tabs 22.

. The wiper strips 17 are additionally provided at respective ends oftheir band portions 20 with a tab 27 which may be provided with aslightly raised portion 28 and a 7 slot or raised eyebrow-like eyelet 29to receive the tab 21 'of the next adjacent wiper strip 1 7, thusforming a continuous band of the band portions 20.

The hanger clips 18 beyond their shank end kinked at 30 are providedwith a leg portion 31 to clear the top of the band portion 20 of thewiper strip, and then an expansible portion which my take the form ofoverlapping legs 32 and 34 interconnected by leg 33 and terminating inan inturned hooked end 35 for insertion into suitable apertures in thelower side wall of the hot top casing 13. The hanger clips arepreferably of 14 gauge wire and by having one or more bends areresiliently extensible and adjustable in length; All portions of thehanger clip except the hooked end 35 and the kink 30 are preferably inone plane, and the hooked end and kink are in planes trans-. versethereto, preferably parallel; Obviously the hanger clip could be in theform of a helical coil or spring but the illustrated form is adequateand preferred. g

All components having been individually described, the composite deviceis assembled as follows:

Four wiper strips 17 are assembled into a continuous band by insertingthe end tabs 27 into the adjacent raised eyebrow 29. The hanger clipsare inserted by placing the shank kinked ends under the hooked overclips 24 and 25 and into the raised eyelet 23, then turned upwardly sothat the kink 30 engages in a press fit against the inside of the clip24. The metal assemblyis then placed into a form box and the refractorymaterial and binder are rammed against the insides of the wiper stripsand into the shape illustrated, thus'embedding all of the inturned tabs22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, and bonding same within the refractory material.The composite assembly is then baked to set the binder and drive elfmoisture. The composite assemblies are then'ready for shipment and useas the hanger clips and wiper strips are securedpermanently in place andin position for use.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated another embodiment whichis similar to that previously described except that the Wiper strips aremechanically secured to the refractory material rather than partiallyembedded. Here again it will be noted that the wiper strips170 are eachformed with a band-like portion 210 extending outwardly and preferablyupwardly at a slight angle there-, from. Each wiper strip is provided atone end of the band portion 200 with a tab 270, prow'ded with a raisedportion 280, and the other end with a raised eyebrow-like slot oreyelet'290 to receive the tab 270 of the adjacent wiper strip 170. Theband portion 200 of the wiper strips 171} is formed with an inwardlypressed integral molding 220. This molding cooperates with a pair ofshoulders 260 formed on the outside Wall of the refractory member 100.

At suitable intervals, at least one to a side and preferably two spacedapart locations, the molding 220 of the band portion 200 of the wiperstrips 170, are formed as by a die punching operation with the camestructure as 23, 24 and 25 illustrated in detail in FIG. 2, that is, araised eyelet 230, and two inturned hooklike clips or tabs 240 and 250to receive the shank end of a hanger clip 180 (see FIG. 6). Hanger clip180 is identical to that of clip 18 illustrated in FIG. 3 except for anadditional pair of bends 310a in the leg 310 to conform to the moldedportion 220 of the wiper strip 170 before clearing theupper edge of theband portion 200. The kink 300, legs 320, 330 and 340 and the hooked end350 likewise conform to corresponding portions 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35 ofhanger clip 18. V I

The composite device 100 is assembled in the same manner as device 10.Four wiper strip members 170 are formed into a continous band with tabs270 locked into place beneath corresponding raised eyelets 290 by raisedportions 280 on the tabs 270. Shank ends of hanger clips 1 80 are'theninserted into the raised eyelet 230 and under the hooklike tabs 240 and250. The hanger clips 180 are then turned upwardly so that the kink 300is pressed against the inside of the tab 2-40 and thus held in place.The wiper strip-hanger clip assembly is then placed in the mold (core)box and the refractory-binder mix rammed into the mold, thus forming theshoulders 260 above and below the molding portions 220 of the wiperstrips 100 and embedding the tabs 240, 250 and eyelet 230 into the outerrefractory walls. The ramming of the refractory material in the mold boxwill tend to further lock the eyebrow slots 290 to the raised portions280 of the tabs 270. The composite refractory-wiper strip and hangerclip device is then baked to set the binder material and drive off themoisture from the refractory. When thus cured, themetal wiper strips 170are locked as a continuous hand between the shoulders of the outsidewall of the refractory bottom ring with hanger clips secured to theband-like wiper strips 170. and hanger slip tabs being embedded into therefractory side wall, thus providing a permanent composite consuch ascome within its spirit and intended as falling within the scope of thisinvention, as best defined by the appended claims wherein I claim:

1. A composite bottom ring for a hot top comprising. a refractory bottommember having a plurality of side walls, a continuous band of metalincluding a plurality of metal wiper strips extending outwardly fromsaid band,

said band permanently interconnected with the side walls of saidrefractory member, and a plurality of extensible hanger clips eachconnected at one end to the metal band immediately adjacent the sidewalls of the refractory member. 2. A composite bottom ring as claimed inclaim 1, in which said band of metal is provided with a plurality ofintegrally connected tabs, said tabs being embedded and, bonded withinthe side Walls of said refractory member.

. 3. A composite bottom ring as claimed in claim 1, including anelongate cavity in said side walls, said band being disposed at least inpart in said cavity.

4. .A composite bottom ring for a hot top comprising a refractory memberhaving a plurality of side walls, a band of metal adapted tocircumscribe said side walls in flush contact therewith, said-bandhaving an integral wiper strip portion extending outwardly from saidband and at a slight angle thereto, a plurality of extensible wirehanger clips, one end of each of which is provided with a kink forinterconnection with said continuous band of metal, the other end with ahook to engage a suitable aper ture in said hot top casing, saidcontinuous band being provided with a plurality of punched out clipsimmediately adjacent the side walls of the refiractory member underwhich the kinked ends of said extensible wire hanger clips are secured,and means securing said band to said side walls of the refractory memberindependent of said wire hanger clips.

5. A composite bottom ring for a hot top as claimed in claim 4, in whichsaid plurality of punched out clips are disposed internally of saidcontinuous band and embedded and bonded Within the said side walls ofthe refractory member, said hanger clips each connected at one end toone of the punched out clips, said hanger clips extending upwardly fromwithin said band, said wiper strip portions being unslotted.

6. A hanger clip for connection to a metal bandlike wiper strippermanently attached to the side walls of a refractory bottom ring forhot tops, comprising a shank end provided with a kink forinterengagement with said metal 'bandlike wiper strip, a hook member atthe other end of said hanger clip, and a plurality of overlappingextensible portions extending parallel to said bandlike wiper stripintermediate said ends permitting limited universal adjustment of theposition of said hook member relative to a hot top casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,804,207 Charman et a1 May 5, 1931 1,997,677 Charman Apr. 16, 19352,258,483 Charman Oct. 7, 1941 2,300,077 Urmetz Oct. 27, 1942 2,426,748Rees et al. v Sept. 2, 1947 2,546,270 Marburg Mar. 27, 1951 2,678,481Peterson May 18, 1954

